Christianity: Practices

Worship

Acts of religious praise, honour or devotion

To praise and thank God, to ask forgiveness, to seek God's help and to deepen their relationship with God

Why do Christians worship?

Liturgical worship

A church service that follows a set structure or ritual. A priest leads the congregation. Set prayers and hymns

Non-liturgical worship

A service that does not follow a set text or ritual. It's in a church, but has no set hymns or prayers

Informal worship

A type of non-liturgical worship. Some worship is silent (Quakers) some is "charismatic" which involves clapping, dancing and speaking in tongues.

Worldwide order, familiar to everyone, tradition, and bible reading follow the Christian calendar

Why is liturgical worship important to Christians?

Services can be planned to suit a certain theme and the emphasis is on the word of God in the bible

Why is non-liturgical worship important to Christians?

similar to the worship of early Christians, people can take an active part in church without formal training and the service may be more personal and emotional

Why is informal worship important to Christians?

Prayer

Communicating with God through words of praise, thanksgiving or confession, or requests for his help or guidance. Listening to and speaking to God.

Set prayers

Prayers that have been written down and said more than once by more than one person, for example the Lord's prayer.

Informal prayers

Prayer that is made up by an individual using his or her own words

It encourages reflection, gives strength, gives peace, enables conversation with God, helps build a relationship with God and helps Christians accept God's will

Why is prayer important?

Jesus taught his disciples this prayer and it is seen as a model of good prayer. It reminds them to forgive other and reminds them that God is the father of everyone

Why is the Lord's prayer important?

Sacraments

Holy rituals through which believers receive a special gift of grace

Baptism

The ritual through which people become members of the Church; baptism involves the use of water as a symbol of the washing away of sin.

Infant baptism

•Practiced by Catholics, Orthodox and Anglican Churches. Bible readings and prayers are said

•Sign of the cross on the forehead removes the idea of Sin and shows faith in Christ

•Welcomes the baby into the Community of Christianity - White robe for baby

•God Parents promise to bring up the child as a Christian - to repent evil and sin

•The parents have and opportunity to thank God and to celebrate the birth. Often light a Paschal or EASTER candle

Believer's baptism

•Practiced by Baptist and Pentecost churches - White Clothes worn a sign of new life

•People old enough to make their own decision about their faith - they make a statement or testimony

•Declaration apology for sin - intention to follow Christ is stated

•Person is fully immersed in a pool which symbolizes cleansing from sin and a new life

•A person gives their statement of faith to confirm their belief in Christianity

Baptism, confirmation, Holy communion, marrage, Holy orders, reconciliation and the anointing of the sick

What are the seven sacraments of the Catholic and Orthodox Church?

Baptism and Holy Communion

What are the two sacraments of the Protestant church?

imitates Jesus's baptism, becomes a member of the Church, becomes a member of the community, is cleansed of sin, receives God's grave and becomes a child of God

Through baptism a person...

Holy Communion

Sacrament that uses bread and wine to celebrate the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross and his resurrection

The bread and wine becomes the body and blood of Christ

What do Catholics, Orthodox Christians and some Anglicans believe about holy communion?

It is a reminder of the Last supper and is a symbol of Jesus' sacrifice. The bread and wine represents the blood and flesh of Jesus

What do Protestant Christians believe about Holy Communion?

Christians receive God's grace, strengthen their faith and become closer to God

How does Holy Communion affect individuals?

It brings the community together and can provide support

How does Holy Communion affect individuals?

It acts as a call to love others in practical ways and encourages Christians to work for equality

How does Holy Communion affect wider society?

Pilgrimage

A journey made by a believer to a holy site for religious reasons

Festival

A day or period of celebration for religious reasons

Christmas

This Christian festival commemorates the incarnation and birth of Jesus

Easter

This Christian festival celebrates the resurrection of Jesus from the dead

The church

The Holy People of God, also called the Body of Christ, among whom Christ is present and active. Or a building in which Christians worship

Lights

This is a part of Christmas. It represents Jesus as the light coming into the world of darkness

Nativity scenes

This is a part of Christmas. It shows baby Jesus being born into poverty

Carol services

This is a part of Christmas. It reminds Christians about God's promise of a saviour and the events of Jesus' birth

Midnight Mass

This is a part of Christmas. It reflects the holiness of the night and the joy Christians feel at Jesus' birth

Christmas cards and gifts

These recall the Wise men's gift to Jesus

They give to charity

This is done in the time of peace and goodwill, because God gave humanity the gift of Jesus, his son.

Holy Week

This is the week before Easter Sunday and it remembers the events leading up to Jesus' crucifixion including his arrest and trial

Good Friday

The day Jesus was crucified. There are special services and processions led by a person carrying a cross

Easter Sunday

The day that Jesus rose form the dead. Churches are filled with flowers and special hymns are sung to celebrate Jesus' resurrection. Services are held at sunrise.

Lourdes

A town in France, where the Virgin Mary appeared to to Bernadette in a series of visions. Bernadette was told to dig and spring water appeared. It is believe to have healing properties and is now a place of pilgrimage, where it is claimed that miraculous healings have taken place. There are classes, meditation sessions and sermons.

Iona

An island of the west coast of Scotland founded by Columba in the 4th century. It is used by Christians today as a centre for pilgrimage and religious retreat.

Individual churches

These help educate people about Christianity, they are meeting places for prayer and worship, they provide activities for young people and are places where Christians can socialise and receive spiritual guidance

The Church association

They support local projects such as food banks, provide social services such as schooling and medical care, help those in need and campaign for justice

The Trussell Trust

Based on Christian principles of ending poverty they have food banks to provide emergency food supplies to people in need.

The Oasis Project

A community hub run by Plymouth Methodist Mission Circuit, they provide lots of services for those in need, including: a job club, training opportunities, a food bank and spiritual guidance

Agape love

an unconditional love for others because they are created in the image of God

Street pastors

A Christian organisation consisting of people who work mainly at night on city streets, caring for those who need help. Started by challenging gun / knife crime in London and moved on to anti social behaviour

Work with police and local councils

Listen to people - provide emergency services if alcohol drug problems.

Offer flip flops and lollipops - connect with people.

Do not PREACH to people - they are there to listen and help.

"Faith by itself, if not accompanied by action, is dead"

What is the street pastor quote?

Parish Nursing Ministries UK

This is a Christian charity that supports whole-person healthcare through the local church. They care for people's physical health but also help with people's spiritual health

Reconcilliation

Restore relationship with God and with one another. To bring people together. Christians believe humans broke the relationship with God due to SIN Jesus' sacrifice helped rebuild and restore the relationship. He atoned for human sin, so humans could be forgiven and can now go to heaven

Christians believe that humans were reconciled to God through Jesus' death and resurection

How did Jesus help restore the relationship between God and humanity?

The Irish Churches Peace Project

This is a project in Northern Island that helps to bring Catholics and Protestants together

The World Council of Churches

Included different denominations and promoted dialogue between Christians with headquarters located in Amsterdam.

Persecution

mistreatment or punishment of a group of people because of their beliefs

North Korea, Somalia, Iraq and Syria

Name 4 countries that persecute Christians

being forced to pay extra tax, job discrimination, being forbidden to build churches and attacks on Christians homes and Christian families

Name some examples of how Christians are persecuted?

Strengthens faith and conviction in their religion. Jesus suffered and overcame the persecution so can they

What are some effects of persecution?

Christian Aid, Tearfund and CAFOD

Christian development aid charities working to address poverty, mostly overseas. They provide emergency aid as well as providing long-term assistance

The divine mystery

When the wine and bread turns into the actual body and blood of Christ

Maundy Thursday

the Thursday of Holy Week; commemorates Jesus' Last Supper

Palm Sunday

the Sunday before Good Friday when Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey

Ash Wednesday

First day of Lent, they burn the palms given to them on Palm Sunday

Paschal Candle

This is lit to symbolise Christ has risen and the light of the world.

Easter Eggs

These symbolise new life

Barnabus Fund

A charity that sends financial support to projects that help Christians where they suffer discrimination, oppression and persecution as a consequence of their faith.

Christian solidarity worldwide

A Christian human rights group that campaigns for religious freedom for all

Ways Christians can spread the faith

-advertising and using media (eg Facebook or Twitter)

-sharing what God has done for them with others

-inviting people to Christian meetings and social events

-praying for others to accept God

Missionary

someone who has a calling to spread the faith and message of the gospels about Jesus as the saviour of humanity. Usually in overseas countries - often in Africa

An Evangelist

Someone who publicly preaches about God and religion

The great commission

The message given by Jesus to his disciples to spread his teachings

Serving In Mission (SIM)

International organisation based in the UK that send workers to 70 different worldwide countries. They teach English, work in medical clinics and carry out the mission of spreading Jesus' gospel

Spring Harvest

This is a Christian organisation that holds events for people of all ages at Butlins' holiday camps in Skegness and Minehead. They deliver Bible teaching and follow worship inspired by the Holy Spirit.

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit"

Quote to support evangelism

Alpha

•This was started in London by an Anglican Priest. Its aim was to help church members understand the basics of Christianity.

•This course is now used as an introduction for those interested in learning about Christianity

•Courses are held in homes, workplaces, universities and prisons as well as churches